Brian Bergamaschi
Biography
Dr. Brian Bergamaschi is a research biogeochemist with the USGS California Water Science Center and adjunct Faculty at California State University Sacramento. He received a Ph.D. in Chemical Oceanography from the University of Washington, in Seattle, WA, where he specialized in analyzing the sources and fates of natural organic material in the environment. His main interests are in understanding processes of carbon cycling in aquatic environments and related biogeochemical processes. His particular emphasis is on developing methods for quantifying the interactions between physical and biogeochemical processes. His research ranges in scale from light-mediated molecular transformations, to tidally-driven wetland fluxes, to effects of changing continental-scale fluxes on coastal carbon processes. His current projects largely focus on the effects of wetland restoration on aquatic habitat quality and carbon cycling.
EXTERNAL PUBLICATIONS
Eckard, R. S., Pellerin, B. A., Bergamaschi, B. A., Bachand, P. A. M., Bachand, S. M., Spencer, R. G. M., & Hernes, P. J. (2017). Dissolved Organic Matter Compositional Change and Biolability During Two Storm Runoff Events in a Small Agricultural Watershed. Journal of Geophysical Research-Biogeosciences, 122(10), 2634-2650. doi:10.1002/2017jg003935
Knox, S. H., Windham-Myers, L., Anderson, F., Sturtevant, C., & Bergamaschi, B. (2018). Direct and Indirect Effects of Tides on Ecosystem-Scale CO2 Exchange in a Brackish Tidal Marsh in Northern California. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, 123(3), 787-806. doi:10.1002/2017JG004048
Moskalski, S. M., Torres, R., Bizimis, M., Goni, M., Bergamaschi, B., and Fleck, J., 2013, Low-tide rainfall effects on metal content of suspended sediment in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: Continental Shelf Research, v. 56, p. 39-55
Bergamaschi BA, BD Downing, BA Pellerin and J Saraceno. 2010. In Situ Sensors for Dissolved Organic Matter Fluorescence: Bringing the Lab to the Field. USGS Water Resources Discipline Instrument News, 125: 1-2.
Ganju, N. K., D. H. Schoellhamer, and B. A. Bergamaschi. 2005. Suspended sediment fluxes in a tidal wetland: Measurement, controlling factors, and error analysis. Estuaries 28: 812-822.
Bergamaschi, B.A., Fram, M.S., Fujii, Roger, Aiken, G.R., Kendall, Carol, and Silva, S.R. (2000) The carbon isotopic composition of trihalomethanes formed from chemically distinct dissolved organic carbon isolates from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. ACS Symposium series 761: Natural Organic Matter and Disinfection By-products: Characterization and Control in Drinking Water, Barret, Krasner and Amy eds. P 206-222.
Bergamaschi, Brian A., Jeffery Walters, and John I. Hedges, (1999) Distributions of uronic acids and O-methyl sugars in particles from two coastal marine environments. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA, V63(N3-4):413-425.
Bergamaschi, Brian A. (1995) The marine geochemistry of carbohydrates: application and development of new techniques. Dissertation. University of Washington.
Bergamaschi, Brian A. and John I. Hedges (1995) A multichambered apparatus for HF solvolysis experiments: reaction of HF solvolysis products with acetic acid and acetic anhydride. Carbohydrate Research 267:115-126.
Hopkinson, C., Cifuentes, L. Burdige, D., Fitzwater, S. Hansell, D., Hendrichs, S. Kahler, P., Koike, I., Walsh, T., and B. Bergamaschi (1993) Measurement of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in natural waters - DON Subgroup Report. Marine Chemistry 41:23-36.
Hedges, J.I., B.A. Bergamaschi and R. Benner (1993) Comparative analysis of DOC and DON in natural waters. Marine Chemistry 41:121-134.
Hedges, John I. and Brian A. Bergamaschi (1992) Seawater carbon measurement. Nature 359:202.
Science and Products
Trends in Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
Water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta contains high concentrations of disinfection byproduct-forming (DBP-forming) materials when treated for potable use. DBPs form when dissolved organic compounds (DOC) in water react with disinfectants such as chlorine and ozone during the water treatment process. The amount of DBPs that form is a function of both the amount and source of the DOC, both...
Methylmercury and Low Dissolved Oxygen Events in Suisun Marsh
The primary purpose of the USGS portion of this proposed study is to evaluate if spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric methods are useful for identifying organic sources of oxygen demand by analyzing water-quality samples (DO, BOD, Chl, SSC, Salinity, THg, MeHg) collected by other agencies and project participants. Sources to be evaluated include algal production, vegetation, soils, and...
Mercury and Dissolved Organic Matter in Delta Wetlands
Between 1860 and 1914, hydraulic mining activities sent more than 800,000,000 cubic yards of mercury-laden sediment into the Delta altering the landscape, water flows, and contributing to the leveeing and reclamation of the Delta's marshes. Transport of mercury from historic mining areas continues today. The sedimentary supply of mercury to the Delta and in Delta sediments (cinnabar,...
Sources of Disinfection Byproduct-forming Material in the State Water Project
Water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta contains high concentrations of disinfection byproduct-forming (DBP-forming) materials when treated for potable use. DBPs form when dissolved organic compounds (DOC) in water react with disinfectants such as chlorine and ozone during the water-treatment process. The amount of DBPs that form is a function of the amount and source of the DOC, both of...
High Speed Mapping of Nutrient Distributions and Water Quality Survey - Lower South San Francisco Bay
This project aims to characterize spatial heterogeneity for key water quality parameters, and pilot the use of underway-flowthrough mapping of biogeochemical properties as a cost-effective approach to monitoring.
Dynamics of zooplankton in the Cache Slough Complex
Our purpose is to investigate what controls the distribution and abundance of fish prey within the Cache Slough Complex (CSC).
Phytoplankton production and nutrient transformations in shallow water wetland habitats
The objectives of this study are to quantify and characterize (1) phytoplankton production on Liberty Island, (2) utilization and transformation of nutrients, and (3) attenuation/loss of phytoplankton as the material is transported from Liberty Iisland into Cache Slough.
Interactions Between Physical Processes and Suspended Sediment Quality in Relation to Spawning Migrations of Delta Smelt
The proposed study is designed to better establish relationships between patterns of delta smelt abundance and properties of suspended particles as measured by optical and acoustical techniques.
Causes and Relevance of Phytoplankton Blooms in the Northern Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
Phytoplankton are an important part of aquatic food webs and ecosystems. These single-celled plants grow faster in the stronger light of spring or summer, resulting in population explosions called phytoplankton blooms. These blooms in turn feed zooplankton (free-floating aquatic microorganisms), providing food for many aquatic species, including fish, shrimp, crabs, and other invertebrates....
Effects of Aquatic Vegetation on Water Quality and Residence Time in the Bay-Delta
The spread of invasive aquatic vegetation in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is having a profound impact on the Delta’s natural habitat. The presence of these “aquatic weeds” has been shown to alter water velocity and increase water clarity, posing threats to native fish species, specifically the threatened Delta Smelt. These aquatic plants can also affect the foodweb by altering nutrient,...
Transport of dissolved organic matter by river networks from mountains to the sea: a re-examination of the role of flow across temporal and spatial scales
The transport of dissolved organic matter (DOM) by rivers is an important component of the global carbon cycle, affects ecosystems and water quality, and reflects biogeochemical and hydrological processes in watersheds. Understanding the fundamental relationships between discharge and DOM concentration and composition reveals important information about watershed flow paths, soil flushing,...
Potential for negative emissions of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4 and N2O) through coastal peatland re-establishment: Novel insights from high frequency flux data at meter and kilometer scales
High productivity temperate wetlands that accrete peat via belowground biomass (peatlands) may be managed for climate mitigation benefits due to their global distribution and notably negative emissions of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) through rapid storage of carbon (C) in anoxic soils. Net emissions of additional greenhouse gases (GHG)—methane...
Windham-Myers, Lisamarie; Bergamaschi, Brian; Anderson, Frank A.; Knox, Sarah; Miller, Robin; Fujii, Roger
Procedures for using the Horiba Scientific Aqualog® fluorometer to measure absorbance and fluorescence from dissolved organic matter
Advances in spectroscopic techniques have led to an increase in the use of optical measurements (absorbance and fluorescence) to assess dissolved organic matter composition and infer sources and processing. Although optical measurements are easy to make, they can be affected by many variables rendering them less comparable, including by...
Hansen, Angela M.; Fleck, Jacob; Kraus, Tamara E. C.; Downing, Bryan D.; von Dessonneck, Travis; Bergamaschi, Brian Using paired in situ high frequency nitrate measurements to better understand controls on nitrate concentrations and estimate nitrification rates in a wastewater-impacted river
We used paired continuous nitrate ( ) measurements along a tidally affected river receiving wastewater discharge rich in ammonium ( ) to quantify rates of change in concentration ( ) and estimate nitrification rates. sensors were deployed 30 km apart in the Sacramento River, California (USA), with the upstream...
Kraus, Tamara E. C.; O'Donnell, Katy; Downing, Bryan D.; Burau, Jon R.; Bergamaschi, Brian Irrigation as a fuel pump to freshwater ecosystems
We generated a detailed time series of total dissolved hydrolyzable amino acids (DHAA) in a watershed dominated by irrigated agriculture in northern California, USA to investigate the roles of hydrologic and seasonal changes on the composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM). DHAA are sensitive indicators of the degradation state and reactivity...
Matiasek, Sandrine; Pellerin, Brian A.; Spencer, Robert G.M.; Bergamaschi, Brian; Hernes, Peter J.
An introduction to high-frequency nutrient and biogeochemical monitoring for the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, northern California
Executive SummaryThis report is the first in a series of three reports that provide information about high-frequency (HF) nutrient and biogeochemical monitoring in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta of northern California (Delta). This first report provides an introduction to the reasons for and fundamental concepts behind collecting HF measurements...
Kraus, Tamara E.C.; Bergamaschi, Brian A.; Downing, Bryan D.
Designing a high-frequency nutrient and biogeochemical monitoring network for the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, northern California
Executive SummaryThis report is the third in a series of three reports that provide information about how high-frequency (HF) nutrient monitoring may be used to assess nutrient inputs and dynamics in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, California (Delta). The purpose of this report is to provide the background, principles, and considerations for...
Bergamaschi, Brian A.; Downing, Bryan D.; Kraus, Tamara E.C.; Pellerin, Brian A.
Synthesis of data from high-frequency nutrient and associated biogeochemical monitoring for the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, northern California
Executive SummaryThis report is the second in a series of three reports that provide information about high-frequency (HF) nutrient and biogeochemical monitoring in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta of northern California (Delta). The purpose of this report is to synthesize the data available from a nutrient and water-quality HF (about every 15...
Downing, Bryan D.; Bergamaschi, Brian A.; Kraus, Tamara E.C. A river-scale Lagrangian experiment examining controls on phytoplankton dynamics in the presence and absence of treated wastewater effluent high in ammonium
Phytoplankton are critical component of the food web in most large rivers and estuaries, and thus identifying dominant controls on phytoplankton abundance and species composition is important to scientists, managers, and policymakers. Recent studies from a variety of systems indicate that ammonium ( NH+4) in treated wastewater effluent decreases...
Kraus, Tamara E. C.; Carpenter, Kurt; Bergamaschi, Brian; Parker, Alexander; Stumpner, Elizabeth; Downing, Bryan D.; Travis, Nicole; Wilkerson, Frances; Kendall, Carol; Mussen, Timothy Effects of solid-liquid separation and storage on monensin attenuation in dairy waste management systems
Environmental release of veterinary pharmaceuticals has been of regulatory concern for more than a decade. Monensin is a feed additive antibiotic that is prevalent throughout the dairy industry and is excreted in dairy waste. This study investigates the potential of dairy waste management practices to alter the amount of monensin available for...
Hafner, Sarah C.; Watanabe, Naoko; Harter, Thomas; Bergamaschi, Brian; Parikh, Sanjai J. Recent advances in understanding flow dynamics and transport of water-quality constituents in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta
This paper, part of the collection of research comprising the State of Bay–Delta Science 2016, describes advances during the past decade in understanding flow dynamics and how water-quality constituents move within California’s Sacramento– San Joaquin River Delta (Delta). Water-quality constituents include salinity, heat, oxygen, nutrients,...
Schoellhamer, David H.; Wright, Scott A.; Monismith, Stephen G.; Bergamaschi, Brian Using continuous underway isotope measurements to map water residence time in hydrodynamically complex tidal environments
Stable isotopes present in water (δ2H, δ18O) have been used extensively to evaluate hydrological processes on the basis of parameters such as evaporation, precipitation, mixing, and residence time. In estuarine aquatic habitats, residence time (τ) is a major driver of biogeochemical processes, affecting trophic subsidies and conditions in fish-...
Downing, Bryan D.; Bergamaschi, Brian; Kendall, Carol; Kraus, Tamara E. C.; Dennis, Kate J.; Carter, Jeffery A.; von Dessonneck, Travis
Assessing wildlife benefits and carbon storage from restored and natural coastal marshes in the Nisqually River Delta: Determining marsh net ecosystem carbon balance
Working in partnership since 1996, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nisqually Indian Tribe have restored 902 acres of tidally influenced coastal marsh in the Nisqually River Delta (NRD), making it the largest estuary-restoration project in the Pacific Northwest to date. Marsh restoration increases the capacity of the estuary to support a...
Anderson, Frank; Bergamaschi, Brian; Windham-Myers, Lisamarie; Woo, Isa; De La Cruz, Susan; Drexler, Judith Z.; Byrd, Kristin; Thorne, Karen M.